Michael Robert Dyet's Blog, page 12

Fiat, Representative & Crypto: The Unholy Trinity

Hmmm, what is the bottom line when itcomes to the concept of money?

I do not give a whole lot of thought to the logistics of money. I know I have to have it to function in society and that not having enough of it to meet my financial liabilities puts me in a dicey situation. That is pretty much the extent of my understanding.  Money is money. I like to think it is that simple. But that is decidely not true. There are different kinds of currency.

Fiat Money is a form of currency that is declaredlegal tender. It includes money in circulation such as paper money or coins. Fiatmoney is backed by a country’s government. Okay, that seems straightforwardenough.

But there is also Representative Money.This is government produced money backed by physical commodities such as preciousmetals. Credit cards are the obvious example – forms of payment used in placeof traditional money with the intent to pay at a later date. Okay, that is alittle less straightforward but I get it more or less.

And now, of course, there is Cryptocurrency. This is virtual money, stored in a digital wallet, that does not require a financial institution to verify transactions. No government involvement and no government regulations that apply. The first cryptocurrency, and most commonly traded one, is Bitcoin although various other cryptocurrencies now exist.

So money is money except that it comesin different forms – some I can put in my pocket, some I can spend withoutactually having it and some I can have in my digital pocket. But I have topurchase the digital kind using Fiat or Representative money. SoI am using money to buy money? I am starting to get a headache puzzling throughthis concept.

But wait. This might help. I found anarticle that says Bitcoin is like a casino chip – an exchange mediumfrom one entity to another. That sort of makes sense. But I can only use it inthe Bitcoin casino? Or can I use it in other places? If not, then itsort of is money but sort of is not. Ugh, my headache is getting worse.

Here is an important fact. Banks insuremoney kept in bank accounts against loss. The Bank of Canada, our nation’scentral bank, regulates the industry. Cryptocurrency has no recourse inthe event of a loss. So Fiat money is more secure.

But wait! I found another article that saysbanks are only required to keep a certain percentage of deposits on reserve andcan invest the rest. If all depositors tried to withdraw their funds at thesame time, the bank would fail. I do not like the sound of that.

Oh no, I just found another article thatsays reserve requirements in Canada were removed as of March 2020 for all depositoryinstitutions effectively reducing the reserve requirement to zero. Yikes, isthat true? I wish I had not learned that.

So what is the bottom line when it comesto money? I guess the best I can conclude is that money is a metaphor for acommodity which we all need that comes in different forms, may increase ordecrease in value depending on the circumstances and may or may not be secure.

My headache is now full-blown. Can I buyTylenol with cryptocurrency?

~ Now Available Online from Amazon,Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage –Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions for subscribingare provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in theright sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week

Random Act of Metaphor

Hmmm, are we making the most of theprecious time we are given?

We sometimes use the expression dogyears to refer to the fact that a year in a dog’s lifetime is roughlyequivalent to seven years in a human lifetime.

A butterfly’s lifetime is often measuredin a matter of weeks. In the case of American Lady butterflies, theirlifespan in adult stage is at most three weeks. Hence, a year in their life isroughly equivalent to 700 years in a human lifetime. Truly a sobering thought.

Aging is an accelerated process for thewinged wonders of summer. It takes a toll on them quickly as demonstrated by theworn-at-the-edges American Lady at the head of this post. Its coloursare faded and its wing edges ragged indicating it is near the end of its allottedtime.

Despite the fact that is quite old inbutterfly terms, this Lady was still fluttering around in the meadowfeeding and enjoying life. I had to chase it for a couple of minutes to capturethis photograph.

A worn-at-the-edges American Lady– a random act of metaphor to remind us that time is relative and that we mustmake the most of the precious time we are given.

~  NowAvailable Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: HuntingMuskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of Until theDeep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner in theReader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka Things That MakeMe Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions for subscribingare provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in theright sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.

Twitter on Steriods: X Marks the Spot

Hmmm, is the demise of the iconic blue bird signal the era of Twitter on steroids?

The blue bird has been kicked out of the nest by the ominous character X. No, it’s not the plot for a Disney Pixar animated movie. It is the virtual manifestation of a grand rebranding of the social media platform Twitter that Elon Musk purchased last October.

Twitter has been on rocky ground oflate. It lost half of its advertising revenue when many large companies pulledtheir ads from the platform because of an increase in what is perceived to beexplicit and hateful content.

It is also being threatened by Facebook’s launch of Threads which elbowed its way into the virtual space Twitter currently occupies. Threads reached 100 million users within five days setting a record for the fastest app to ever do so.

The rebranding is part of Musk’s grandvision to transform Twitter into the Everything App. The end goal is aone-stop, AI driven shop for online needs including online messaging and e- commerce.Musk launched an artificial intelligence company called xAI to develop agenerative artificial intelligence program for this purpose.

Why is Musk rebranding Twitter as X? He has a longstanding affinity with the character X dating back 20 years when he launched an online banking and payments company called X.com which later merged with PayPal. My understanding is that Musk repurchased X.com and the domain now redirects to Twitter.

As a Baby Boomer, the technologyinvolved in this quantum leap transformation is beyond my comprehension. Iunderstand artificial intelligence in very general terms. But the nitty grittyof it is light years beyond my capacity to grasp.

The aspect of the equation that concerns me is the Everything App concept. I perceive it as an attempt to become the Amazon of all apps. Just as you can order practically anything on Amazon, Musk envisions an app that becomes the single door to all online activity. The ultimate big fish in the biggest of virtual oceans – perhaps even usurping Amazon itself.

I am of the opinion that it is a dangerousthing when so much power and accompanying wealth is consolidated in one placeand under one person’s control. The result can be: Play by my rules or donot play at all.

Elon Musk is already the wealthiestperson in the world with a net worth of somewhere in the neighbourhood of $240billion. I do not like the idea of fattening his bank account even more and empoweringhim to be the gatekeeper of the online world of commerce.

If Musk realizes his vision, X marks the spot will become a metaphor for a narrow, online door that we all have to pass through paying a toll to Musk every time. Twitter on steroids: A dystopian virtual world for which the demise of the iconic blue bird sets the stage.

~  NowAvailable Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: HuntingMuskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka Things That MakeMe Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions for subscribingare provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in theright sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.

Bulldozers and Mother Nature: A Bad Combination

Hmmm, what makes us think that we canimprove on Mother Nature?

I have always been an advocate of the IfIt ain’t broke, don’t fix it school of thought. Admittedly, there are plentyof things in our world that need fixing.

But too often, instead of focusing onwhat is broken, human beings in their hubris look at something that is functioningproperly and decide: I can make it better. My response to these ill-consideredinitiatives is often: You did not make it better. You made itdifferent and in the process arguably made it less than it was before.

When it comes to Mother Nature, she increasinglyneeds protecting but never needs to be improved. The trouble beginswhen those in positions of authority confuse the two terms.

Case in point. For many years, I was regularvisitor to Hilton Falls Conservation Area near Milton. The photo at the head ofthis post was taken there. I had not been back there for several years and decidedto make an overdue return visit earlier this month.

Hilton Fills has many kilometers of hikingand biking trails. My typical hike takes me around the reservoir on the Red OakTrail branching off onto the lengthy Beaver Dam Trail which winds throughwoodland with occasional sunny glades and wetlands. I only venture a shortdistance on the Beaver Dam Trail to a few good spots for viewing my cherished wingedwonders.

In the past, the Beaver Dam Trail was ahard-packed dirt trail about 12 feet wide with grassy margins. But when Iarrived at it this time, I discovered to my dismay that Conservation Halton haddecided it needed to be improved.

Their improvement involvedwidening the opening through the woods to about 40 feet demolishing many treesin the process. They built a raised berm in the middle with a gravel trail ontop of it, steeply sloped sides and plastic fencing at the tree line to ensureno one commits the cardinal sin of coming into contact with the woods.

The end result is a sterile, urban-styletrail with the equivalent of a moat on either side. Anyone hiking the trail nowexperiences a visual and space barrier between themselves and the very naturethey came seeking. Not improved in the any sense of the word and causingvery real harm in the process.

Conservation Halton no doubt brought in largeexcavation equipment to do the work. Mother Nature does not respond well tothis kind of intrusion. The wetlands along the trail used to have numerous dragonfliesand damselflies cavorting about them. But on my recent visit, they were barrenof any such activity. The ecosystem is damaged and may take years to recover.

The arrangement of anecosystem is like a clock where each part works closely and in harmony witheach other such that it is able to tell time. (Credit to Patrick Regoniel, EnvironmentalScience Professor, for the metaphor.) Throw a spanner into the clock andthe parts stop working together. Time stops while the ecosystem struggles torepair itself.

Conservation Halton: You batteredand bruised Mother Nature on the Beaver Dam Trail. Now we have to hope and praythat she can undo the damage over time.

~ Now Available Online from Amazon, ChaptersIndigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories byMichael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions for subscribingare provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in theright sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.

Learning from Honoured Citizens of Summer: Episode Two

Dragonflies often hang out around wildflowers although for different reasons than their  butterfly cousins. Wildflowers attract pollinators which dragonflies are happy to have for lunch – yes, including butterflies on occasion. Wildflowers also provide shelter from the weather and perching opportunities for these mini winged dragons.

And so, in these continuing lazy, hazydays of July, it seems appropriate to once again show off some of thesehonoured citizens of summer in tandem along with some quotations that elegantlyportray how they bring joy to our lives.

If I were a dragonfly I would flit through the garden with wild abandon flirting with light and kissing flowers.

Nan Riddle

Deep in the sun searched growths the dragonfly hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, English Poet, Illustratorand Painter,  1828 – 1882

The beauteous dragonfly’s dancing by the waves of the rivulet glancing… her figure so slender.”

Heinrich Heine, German Poet and Writer,1797 – 1856

Which came first: the flower or thebutterfly? That once again falls firmly into the category of a rhetoricalquestion. The more important question, at the risk of being repetitive, iswhether we can learn from the symbiotic relationship of these citizens ofsummer and use it as a metaphor for our own lives in the increasingly fractiousand every man for himself society in which we live.

~ Now Available Online from Amazon,Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage –Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions forsubscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructionspage in the right sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.

Learning from the Honoured Citizens of Summer

Hmmm, which came first: the flower or thebutterfly?

Butterflies and wildflowers are prettymuch inseparable. Butterflies rely on the nectar in wildflowers for sustenanceand in turn collect pollen and transfer it to other plants. The two maintain amutually beneficial relationship with the spin-off benefit of bringing joy toour lives through their individual beauty.

And so, in these lazy, hazy days of July,it seems appropriate to show off some of these honoured citizens of summer intandem along with some quotations that elegantly portray how they co-exist andbring joy to our lives.

The butterfly is a flying flower. The flower is a tethered butterfly.

~ Ponce Denis Ecouchard Le Brun, FrenchPoet, 1729 – 1807

It flies with beautiful wings and joins the earth to heaven. It drinks only nectars from the flowers and carries the seeds of love from one flower to another. Without butterflies, the world would soon have fewer flowers.

~ Trina Paulus, Author of “Hope for the Flowers”

Butterflies are self-propelled flowers.

~~ Robert A Heinlein, American Science Fiction Writer

Which came first: the flower or the butterfly? That falls firmly into the category of a rhetorical question. The more important question is whether we can learn from the symbiotic relationship of these citizens of summer and use it as a metaphor for our own lives in the increasingly fractious and every-man-for-himself society in which we live.

~ Now Available Online from Amazon,Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage –Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions forsubscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructionspage in the right sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.

Summer Solstice on My Own Terms

Hmmm, on that day when the sun appears to be still in the sky, does all of life follow suit?

Welcome to summer. Yes, I am a bit latewith that greeting by official standards. Summer Solstice, which marks thefirst day of summer, took place on June 21.

But being a nonconformist, I have my ownmeasure of such things. Summer officially begins for me when I sight the first Silver-spottedSkipper (displayed at the head of this post) which happened on Thursday. Incelebration of the bloom of summer, here are a few facts about Summer Solsticeinterspersed with the winged wonders that hold court during the season.

Summer Solstice is the day with thelongest period of sunlight in the northern hemisphere. The sun appears highest inthe sky and its rays strike the earth at a more direct angle causing thewarming we call summer.

Eyed-Brown

On Summer Solstice, your shadow at solarnoon is the shortest that it will be all year. Solar noon, asopposed to clock-time noon, is when the sun crosses the local meridian – an imaginaryline between the North and South poles.

White-winged Meadowhawk

After Summer Solstice, the sun appearsto reverse course and head back in the opposite direction. But in point offact, the sun itself is not moving. This change that we perceive in its positionin the sky is caused by the tilt of the earth’s axis as it orbits the sun.

Northern Pearly-Eye

In some cultures, Summer Solstice is celebratedwith the gathering of family and friends, raising and dancing around a maypole,decorating houses with greenery and enjoying food and drink.

Eastern Pondhawk

The word solstice comes from theLatin solstitium – from sol (sun) and stitium (still orstopped). And so for me, Summer Solstice is when the relentless march of timepauses for a heartbeat, when life in all its myriad forms breathes most deeplyand when winged wonders unfurl their gossamer wings in humble praise and celebration.

~ Now Available Online from Amazon,Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage –Stories by Michael Robert Diet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions for subscribingare provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in theright sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.

The Titan Disaster: Mythological Karma

Hmmm, is the mythological overtone of theTitan disaster the story behind the story?

The desperate search for the Titan submersible,which descended into the Atlantic Ocean with five occupants to view the wreckof The Titanic, was the leading news story this week. Search and rescue crewsfrom Canada, the United States, Britain and France – with ships, airplanes andremotely controlled vehicles (ROV) – participated in the search and rescuemission.

As you probably know, the search hasended as debris found in the search area matches the Titan construction. Theassumed fate of the Titan is a catastrophic loss of air pressure resulting in animplosion.

A controversy raged on social media,while the search was underway, concerning whether or not we should sympathizewith the five occupants. Four were billionaires who paid $250,000 each for theprivilege. The fifth was the billionaire CEO of the company who operated thevessel. A few examples culled from Facebook:

Richidiots do something stupid by spending an exorbitant amount of money to gosomewhere dangerous where human beings aren’t meant to go, all because theywant to see a century old shipwreck that means absolutely nothing in the grand schemeof things, and now find themselves in peril. Play stupid games, win stupidprizes.

I can’tbelieve how quick people are to celebrate the gruesome deaths of thosebillionaires. Think for a second about what you’re doing. They haven’t evenbeen confirmed dead, so don’t jinx it. Wait to celebrate until we know forsure.

There’s a small group of homeless peoplein my town. I give them food when I can – money is tight. Maybe billionaires shoulddo that over creating tax shelters or building subs.

The question of the day is: Should we feelsorry for the wealthy people who paid handsomely for the privilege of being inthe Titan for the ill-fated voyage or declare that their wealth and indulgentlifestyles sealed their fate?

From my perspective, any loss of life istragic no matter the circumstances. I cannot get totally on board (excuse thepun) with the They got what they deserved point of view. The five peopledied a horrible death the likes of which we can only imagine.

On the other hand, there is merit to argument that it was a blatant example of rich people indulging their whims while the growing number of poor people struggle to survive. The one million dollars that the four billionaires collectively paid to be on the Titan could have made an immeasurable difference in the lives of countless poor and disadvantaged people.

In Greek mythology, the Titans were ageneration of pre-Olympian gods who betrayed their father. They were subsequentlyoverthrown by another generation of gods and vanquished from the UpperWorld. Accordingly, the fate of the occupants of the Titan can be seen asmythological karma at a time when the gap between the wealthy and the poor is steadilywidening.

As the saying goes: Karma is a bitch!

~ Now Available Online from Amazon,Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage –Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions for subscribingare provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in theright sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post +on another social networking site, come backregularly to my page for postings once a week.

their father.

Toronto Mayor Candidates: A Snowball’s Chance in Hell

Hmmm, should there really be an opendoor policy to run for public office?

Admittedly I have no skin in the game,given that I reside in Hamilton, in the race that is unfolding for Toronto’snext mayor. Normally I do not pay much attention to municipal candidates inother cities beyond what makes it onto the evening news.

But I am intrigued by the fact that 102candidates filed nomination papers for the position. Truthfully, intriguedmay not be the right word to use. Puzzled, befuddled or skeptical might betterdescribe my reaction – enough so to make me investigate what is required torun.

Filing a nomination is less rigorousthan I would have imagined. You complete a simple nomination form, get 25 signatureson an Endorsement of Nomination Form, present acceptable identification, pay a$200 fee and provide financial statements.

The endorsement process is littlemore than a formality. You can endorse as many people as you like and can endorsemore than one person running for the same office. The bar is set about as lowas it can possibly be.

The qualifications required are also verybasic. You must be a Canadian citizen at least 18 years of age; a City ofToronto resident or owner or tenant of land in the city or spouse of the owneror tenant; not legally prohibited from voting (whatever that means). You cannotbe a judge, an MP, an MPP or senator unless you resign that position.

In other words, pretty much any Tom,Dick or Harriet can throw their hat in the ring. The principle employed is moreor less any citizen in good standing. I am not sure I agree with this opendoor policy. It seems to me that there needs to be some minimum qualificationsin terms of experience especially for a role as crucial as mayor.

You may argue that it is up to theelectorate to judge the qualifications, or lack thereof, of the candidates. Butis it not a poor reflection on the integrity of the process to have a craploadof candidates most of whom have no legitimate qualifications?

I have to wonder why all these peopledid throw their hat in the ring when 95% of them do not have a snowball’schance in hell of getting elected. Perhaps some of them did so simply on alark. “Hey, I’m running for mayor! Buy me a beer!”. But the majority of them arepresumably serious in their intention and seriously delusional in theirexpectations.

From what I can see, there are half adozen candidates seriously in the running and a few dark horse candidates whomay garner a handful of support. The rest are purely paper candidates withno credentials taking up space on the ballot.

I guess it is democracy at work: thedoor is open to everyone. But it is not, in my estimation, a particularlyshining example of that important principle.

~ Now Available Online from Amazon,Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage –Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions for subscribingare provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in theright sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.

Free Lottery Award: A Few Questions

Hmmm, what should I do with this $1.5 million euro windfall?

E-mailmessage received June 3, 2023

Fund Payment Notification (Code HEF0031)

The PorscheCompany Ltd Free Lottery Award, in collaboration with Charles III, whoautomatically acceded to the throne as the new King of the United Kingdom, in conjunctionwith HM Treasury, United Nations, World Bank, and Ecowas decided to empowersome individuals as a farewell gift in honor of the Queen, with 1.5 millioneuro for Charity/humanitarian empowerment via an online raffle draw.

Your email happens to emerge amongst the emailsthat were randomly drawn online. You’re obliged to contact Ms. Rebecca L Randomvia her email address ( bjazz049@buckeye-express.com) immediately for yourpayment, which will be affected via ATM Card for delivery to your designatedaddress.

Ensure to forward this email to her whilecontacting her with your contact address and phone number; also, quote thisreference, which is your payment reference code (HEF0031), to enable her torespond to you and guide you on how your payment will be dispatched to yourdoorstep.

Congratulations in advance.

Thanks,

Dr. Donald Walker
United Nations Raffle Draw Supervisor
Director of International Payments

Dear Mr.Walker:

Thank youever so much for your e-mail. What delightful surprise! I do have a fewquestions before I respond with my contact details.

Do I haveto bow down to King Charles to receive the award? Personally, I find the man israther like a cartoon character. But if I have to genuflect to him to receivethe money, I suppose I could bring myself to do so.

How did itcome about that the United Nations and the World Bank are involved? It seemsrather outside their purview. Can you clarify their role for my edification?

Do I getthe full $1.5 million euros? If so, can you remit payment in Canadian dollars?I anticipate some uncomfortable questions from my bank if I request thecurrency conversion at my end.

Is “Random”a typical British surname? Also, I am curious as to why her e-mail address hasno relation to her name. No doubt there is a simple explanation that will putmy concerns to rest.

Youindicate that payment will be “affected” via ATM card. I am not familiar withthat type of financial transaction. Could you elaborate?

Yourmessage also indicates that “payment will be dispatched to your doorstep”. Thisis very kind of you! Please ask the individual delivering the money to wear a redbowler hat so I know he or she is legitimate.

With muchappreciation,

George KHaphazard

Kblues068@skeptic-slowly.com

~ Now Available Online from Amazon,Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage –Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Untilthe Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner inthe Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me GoHmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2 . Instructions forsubscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructionspage in the right sidebar. Ifyou’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularlyto my page for postings once a week.