Michael Robert Dyet's Blog, page 18

Auston Matthews: The Cure for What Ails Us

Hmmm, is a laser beamwrist shot better for us than a fourth shot in the arm?

We have not had much tocheer about the last two years with the looming shadow of the pandemic and allthe restrictions imposed because of it. Life has been a hunker down and wait exercise as we rode out the COVID waves whilerolling up our sleeves three times for the jab.

And so, it probably should not be a surprise that hockey fans province-wide gave each other virtual high-five when Auston Matthews set a new Toronto Maple Leaf single season record for goals recently. We have been eagerly observing his march toward the record.

For those of you out ofthe loop, Matthews hit the landmark 50 goal mark a few games back, tied RickVaive’s long standing record of 54 goals with an empty net goal and has surgedto 56 goals since then. It is a safe bet he will hit, and quite likely pass,the 60 goal plateau by the end of the season.

Despite the fact thatMatthews was born in the U.S., all of us proud Leaf fans are adopting him as anhonourary Canadian. If he leads our beloved Maple Leafs to their first StanleyCup in 55 years, we will give him the keys to the Rogers Centre, the city andeven the province.

Of course, we should also be extending our gratitude to Mitch Marner – Matthews partner in crime on the Leaf’s top line. Marner has been tearing it up since returning from injury and feeding Matthews picture-perfect passes for many of his goals.

Hockey is the Canadian game. Our national identity is tied up in it. Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday evening is a tradition as old as the hills and more Canadian than Maple Syrup or Canadian Tire. Hockey is what we relied on to lift our spirits during the lockdowns. We sorely missed it when it was shutdown.

For all of these reasons, every goal that Matthews scores now is a shot in the arm to our collective psyches. I personally believe it is will benefit us far more than the fourth vaccine shot. (FYI: I am opting out of that jab.) Good old fashioned euphoria, which has been in short supply for some time, is the best medicine when all is said and done – and every Matthews goal feeds the fever.

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

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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.

The Infamous Slap: Flipping the Script

Hmmm, who was the realvictim in that all too public scene?

I did not watch theAcademy Awards last Sunday evening. The Leafs hockey game was of more interestto me. Hence, I did not see in real time the now infamous Will Smith slap ofChris Rock. But it has been all over the news media and social media so I ammore or less up to speed.

I did not want to enterthe debate. There has been far too much hullabaloo about it already. However,the inflammatory nature of the reaction, and the manner in which blame wasassigned, compells me to weigh in. This is my unapologetic take on the matter.

Chris Rock’s joke aimedat Jada Pinkett Smith was insensitive and offensive. It is not acceptable inany manner to base humour on someone else’s race, creed, colour, sexual orientationor a disease from which they are suffering. To do so is a form of discriminationand as such is intolerable.

Chris Rock got exactlywhat he deserved.

I know many willimmediately respond that violence is never an acceptable response to anaffront. But I will argue in turn that there is a difference between a punchand a slap. A punch is an act of aggression intended to cause physical harm. Aslap, in this context, is an understandable expression of outrage at offensive behaviour.

Jada Pinkett Smith couldwear a wig and hide her disease. But she chooses to confront it which is an actof courage that deserves praise and respect – not humiliation.

Will Smith defended hiswife’s dignity, and by association the dignity of all who suffer from the samedisease, and was justified in doing so. He could have thrown a punch – in hisshoes, I may very well have done so – but he exercised discretion and opted fora slap instead. For that, I salute him.

Much has been made ofthe standing ovation that Will Smith received when he accepted his award.(Again, I was not watching so I am speaking based on what I have heard.) It hasbeen condemned by many. But I am inclined to believe that the gesture was bothfor his brilliant acting and for having the courage to confront discriminationand, literally, slap it down.

The Academy isapparently considering sanctions against Will Smith for his actions. This is,quite frankly, a blatant cop-out. If anyone should be sanctioned, it is ChrisRock for his offensive behaviour. The Academy is choosing to react to the symptomrather than showing the leadership to deal with the root cause. To that I canonly say, shame on them.

Being a comedian is nota blank cheque to go for a cheap laugh at someone else’s expense. I find it baffling that,in a time when political correctness is a runaway train, an egregiouslypolitically incorrect act is given a free pass while the victims are punishedfor fighting back.

In summary, my positionis, unapologetically: Will Smith responded appropriately and courageously andshould be praised for his actions. I wish that I could tell him so in personand shake his hand which is probably still stinging from the slap he had nochoice but to unleash.

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

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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.

The New Maple Leafs Jersey: A Reversible Cash Cow

Hmmm, will the Maple Leafs play better with their new jerseys?

Have you heard the news? The Toronto Maple Leafs have asnazzy new jersey designed by Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber? Last time I checked he was a singer and show bizpersonality – not a fashion designer. Did I miss something?

It seems I did. Bieber quietly launched a fashion brandback in 2018. That was before he ventured into the donut world via Tim Hortons and Timbiebs were born. Bieber seems to be building an empire aroundhimself and his personal brand.

The new jerseysare being heralded and praised for their new look and feel. But are they reallyall that new? The traditional Maple Leafs crest is still there front andcenter. The Bieber-employed designer just changed the colour and slapped acouple of blue stripes on it.

If that is all that is needed to be professionaldesigner, sign me up! I am retiring in a year and would be happy to start a newcareer as a designer. Pulling in megabucks by simply changing a colour scheme soundslike the perfect side hustle.

I hear you saying: Butthey’re reversible! My question to you is: Why? Are NHL players fed up with their old school, one-sidedjerseys and threatening a boycott if somebody does not remedy that fatal flaw?I must have missed that news headline as well.

I also wonder why the Leafs decided to debut their new jerseys when they did. Is it going to make them player better? Normally this kind of thing would be done for the start of the season or to mark a historic anniversary.

Instead it was debuted at the Next Gen game, Again, I had not heard of that until I turned on the game that night. I Googled Leafs Next Gen Game it and got this proclamation:

THE TAKEOVER IS BACK, AND THIS TIME WE’RETAKING OVER THE CITY!

Holy crap, Martha. We’d better pack up and head for the hills. I don’t know what ‘the takeover’ is, but they’re commandeering the city. It could be The Hunger Games come to life. We’d better get out while we still can. Grab the dog and load up the truck!

Apologies if I seem rather cynical about the matter. The reality is that it’s about money, a shitload of it, plain and simple. Professional sports franchises make millions from merchandising. A new jersey, with the Bieber sideshow attached to it, will have the Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Ltd coffers overflowing.

In the final analysis, it is a reversible cash cow putting more money in already well-lined pockets. My suggestion: Donate half the proceeds from sales of the new jersey to a fund to help Ukrainians displaced by the Putin invasion. When that happens, I’ll get excited.

~  Now Available Onlinefrom Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites ofPassage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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 Rebel Courier Delivery Man: My New Hero

Hmmm, will you reclaimyour freedoms in the new normal?

I had an experience thispast week that caught me by surprise and gave me cause to reflect. It was avery simple experience that in the bigger picture hardly seems worthmentioning. But upon reflection, its place withinthe bigger picture is what makes it noteworthy.

The doorbell rang earlyone evening. I answered the door and much to my surprise it was a courierdelivering some books I had ordered. A courier delivery is, of course, commonplacein the order online, direct-to-consumer commercial business model that we havesettled into as a result of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed becauseof it.

But when was the lasttime a courier delivered a package to you and actually took the time to hand itto you directly? Most if not all of us would say at least two years ago.

The norm is now for thedelivery person to run up the driveway, toss the package on the porch, snap aphoto on a smartphone to confirm delivery and sprint back to the van. You haveto hope your neighbours are honest and no thief is following the delivery van.

The fact this man choseto revert to the old delivery model is a credit to him. He is very much a rebelin his actions which I salute and commend. He has clearly made a consciousdecision to go against the flow. It tells me he takes pride in his work and inexecuting it well, notwithstanding the fact that his supervisor would probablyargue that it impacts his productivity.

Each of us can andshould take a page for this man’s playbook. I have made the assertion in thepast year or two, making myself unpopular in some circles, that we should make personaldecisions about what we choose to accept or decline in the so-called new normal.

The prevailing wisdom isthat the new normal is a faitaccompli and that we must simply suck it up and fall in line. I have neverresponded well to that kind of peer pressure. I choose to go my own way andlive by my own principles. Yes, I am a rebel at heart and proud of it.

I will concede that thepandemic brought a paradigm shift in many respects for some of which there isno turning back. I am astute enough not to bang my head against an immovablewall although I will occasionally curse it. But I will bang my fist against adoor that has been closed which I believe should remain open – literally andmetaphorically speaking.

I did say thank you tothe courier who delivered my books. But in retrospect, I wish I had been moreeffusive. Something along the lines of…Hey,thanks man! I appreciate you taking the time to ring the doorbell and hand memy package. Good on you for bucking the trend. Here’s a five dollar tip toreward you for being so nice. You’re my new everyday hero!

As we turn the cornernext week on the pandemic restrictions and gain back our freedoms, I encourageyou take advantage of them. If you feel you want to still wear a face mask, goahead. You have my blessing. But if you feel like ditching it in the trash as Iplan to, by all means do so.

And to anyone who givesme a dirty look for not wearing a face mask when I am no longer required to, Isimply say: Deal with it. I choose not toembrace that aspect of the new normal.

~  Now Available Onlinefrom Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites ofPassage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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.

Change of Address Notice: 1 Metaphor Court

Hmmm, is there a placeto retreat to where all this madness cannot reach me?

I have decided to changemy base of operations and live on the Moon. Life on this fragile globe hasbecome much too tempestuous. Just as we nearing the end of two years ofpandemic restrictions and lockdowns, Russia launches its deplorable anddastardly invasion of Ukraine. It is all just too much to handle.

I confess that I havenot yet figured out how to get to the Moon. Maybe I could hitch a ride on thenext privately funded rocket into space. If William Shatner can do it, why notme? But there is also the issue of how I will survive on the Moon since it hasnot been settled (that we know of). Maybe the moon is aiming too high.

Mars might be a betteroption. I understand that it is a dusty, cold, desert world with a very thinatmosphere. But that might ensure I would have the place to myself. The spacestation that Matt Damon occupied in TheMartian would suit my needs. Oh, that was a movie set and not actually onMars? Well damn, there goes that plan!

What about theInternational Space Station? It is still up there and functional, right? It wouldbe a bit cramped but I think I could adapt. Zero gravity might be good for my temperamentalback. But I suppose I would have to go through astronaut training with NASA. Thatmight be a bit much at my age.

Outer space seems to be out of the question. Maybe I should look down instead of up. A nuclear submarine could work. Cruising around under the ocean surface has to be safer and less complicated than life on land. Not much natural light. A sunlamp would fix that. But then again, Russia has submarines, so that scuttles that plan.

A tree house in theAmazon rain forest sounds appealing. I would still be here on earth butphysically removed from most of the hubbub. Hanging out with tropical birds allday sounds like nirvana to me. But then there are the Howler Monkeys to consider.They are very noisy and would probably drive me bonkers.

How about a mountaintopcabin out of the reach of most of humanity? That sounds very enticing. Solitudedoes not bother me. I could bring a dog or cat to keep me company. But I wouldhave to chop wood for my fireplace. My wonky back probably would not survivemore than three swings of the axe.

It seems I have noviable getaway options at this time. I will have to find a way to make peacewith my current surroundings. Copious amounts of liquor would be helpful.Drowning my brain in the ether of inebriation would enable me to create alovely metaphor and live within it.

It is settled.Effectively immediately my new address is 1 Metaphor Court, Metaphorville,Metaphorland. However, there is no snail mail service here and Internet connectivityis sketchy at best. So I may or may not get back to you. And no, you cannotcome to visit. There is only room for one dreamer in this metaphor.

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

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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.

Lies: From White to Bald-faced and Beyond

Hmmm, when does a lie cross the line from dishonesty to insidious?

We alltell lies from time to time. 24/7 honesty is an ideal we may aspire to but willnever reach. There are, of course, a number of different classes of liesranging from harmless to damaging to insidious.

Thereis the mischievous lie. It is playful game where we string some alongfor a while to get a rise from them or see how long we can get away with it. Wefully intend to come clean and always do. It ends with a laugh and a “Oh, yougot me that time!”.

Nextthere is the white lie – an untruth about a small or unimportant matter thatwe tell to avoid hurting another person. It does not change the generalprinciple that honesty is the best policy. It is just that there are times whensparing someone’s feelings trumps being fully honest.

Thenthere is the off-white or gray lie – an untruth about something we deem tobe a small or unimportant matter that is not quite as small as we make it outto be. We stretch the boundaries because telling the truth will be difficultand we are not in a courageous frame of mind. Our conscience scolds us but notso much that we relent.

Next comes the lie of omission. We tell the truth but not the whole truth. We leave out a detail or two that is likely to push someone’s buttons or make us look bad. We rationalize our way through it falling back on the adage What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.

Now wecome to more insidious classes.

The self-servinglie. This happens when a person has got themselves into trouble andcannot find an easy way out. The lie is a means of covering one’s tracks. Harmis done but the perpetrator chooses not to own it. Although we are tempted,most of us refrain from this particular practice.

Now we come to the bald-faced lie. It is obvious to all parties that the truth has been left behind. People who practice this type of lying barge ahead shamelessly trusting that their brazenness will see them through regardless of how their reputation may suffer.

And finally, there is the politician’s bald-faced lie which has all the qualities of a regular bald-faced lie and more. The truth does not serve the politician’s purpose so they simply abandon it. They know full well that any reasonably intelligent person will see through the lie. But they forge ahead with blinders on believing that being an elected official gives them an exemption to the standards that apply to others.

Let me emphasize that not all politician’s engage in this practice. But there are a few who regularly do and who are doing so right now. I will refrain from pointing fingers. You can fill in the blanks yourself.

Thislast category of lie is a wilful and insidious forgery of the truth. Rememberthe ones who perpetrate it the next time you go to vote.

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

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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

Freedom Rebellion: At the Heart of the Matter

Hmmm, before we reject, inpractice and in principle, the freedom rebellion that is unfolding in ourcountry, there are a few things we need to take into account in our thinking.

The Canadian Chart ofRights and Freedoms

On April 17, 1982, the Charter came into force addressing “fundamentalfreedoms” – namely, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom ofthought, freedom of belief and freedom of expression.

Under Legal Rights, the Charter states that “Everyonehas the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not tobe deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamentaljustice.”.

Under Equality Rights, the Charter states that“Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to theequal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination…”

The Charter applies tothe Parliament and government of Canada and to the legislature and governmentof each province. In other words, no level of government is exempt.

Wilfred Laurier, PrimeMinister of Canada from 1896 to 1911

A quotation from Laurier is circulating on social media right now and warrants considersation:

“Whatis hateful is not rebellion but the despotism which induces the rebellion; whatis hateful is not rebels but the men, who, having the enjoyment of power, donot discharge the duties of power; they are men who, having the power toredress wrongs, refuse to listen to the petitioners that are sent to them; theyare men who, when they are asked for a loaf, give a stone.”

Howard Beale, “The MadProphet of the Airwaves”

In 1976, in the landmarkmovie Network, fictional newsmanHoward Beale, having endured all he can about the state of the nation and the “bullshit”of American life, unleashes a rant on the network news with the now immortalwords:

“I’mmad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”

His speech resonateswith the public who begin to scream the words from their windows. Forty yearslater, it resonates again throughout the protests currently underway.

Now the final word. You and I are both free to condone or condemn the tactics being employed in the freedom rebellion. Pay attention now because we are coming to the heart of the matter.  The current rebellion is in fact about protecting and defending that freedom for all.

We can take issue with the tactics. But can we realistically disagree with the principle at the heart of the rebellion?

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

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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.

Junkyard Dogs and Three Reality Checks

Hmmm, can we all take astep back and give a little for the sake of our individual and collective good?

We have been and areliving in tumultuous times driven in large part, but not entirely, by thepandemic and the restrictions implemented in response to it. That is, ofcourse, stating the obvious. But there are many not so obvious spinoffdevelopments that need to be corralled.

None of are particularlyhappy about the current state of affairs. We are weary of living our lives in abubble and not being able to do many of the things that give us pleasure. As asociety, we are more polarized than ever before in my lifetime. We have lostour ability to agree to disagree andstill get along.

These inflammatorycircumstances, more often than not, bring out the worst in us. We are lessinclined to compromise or meet in the middle. Thwarted in so many aspects ofour daily lives, we react by drawing a line in the sand and defending ourterritory like a Junkyard Dog.

In the midst of thismessiness, we are at risk of losing sight of important distinctions – namelythe difference between wants or desires, needs and entitlements.

A want or desire is anintensely personal thing. We want what we want because of who we are and how weare wired.

Reality check: No onegets all of their desires fulfilled.

A need is a higher level matter. We need certain things to behealthy, physically and psychologically, and fulfilled.

Reality check: Ideallyall of our needs would be met. But there will always be some that go begging.

An entitlement is something owed to use by virtue of effort we put in,contributions we make or laws that have been prescribed.

Reality check: Some ofour entitlements are being clawed back right now on very questionableprinciples. But that is a discussion for another day.

When our wants ordesires are thwarted, we tend to elevate them in our mind to the level ofneeds. When our needs are thwarted, we tend to elevate them in our mind to thelevel of entitlements. Therein lays the problem. We lose perspective, start makingdemands and take up our Junkyard Dog position.

Junkyard Dogs are meanand ornery and inclined to fight. In principle, the stronger dog prevails. Butin reality it is a fight that no one wins in the bigger picture. It is alose-lose scenario.

We all have a dog inthis fight. But we are not going to win the fight as a society until we takethe Junkyard out of the Dog.

~  Now Available Onlinefrom Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites ofPassage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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 Toad, the Turtle and the Snake

Hmmm, would you think itstrange if I identify with these belittled creatures?

I know that I amsupposed to aspire to be a beautiful, flight-gifted creature like a bird orbutterfly or dragonfly. These elegant creatures represent freedom and grace. I doquite admire them for that reason among others.

But truthfully, there are days when I identify more with some of the less inspirational creatures.

For example, the lowly American Toad at the head of this post.I am north of 60 years old and showing more than a few warts, literally andfiguratively, as I age. I wear these warts like a badge of honour. It is who Iam for better or for worse. Take it orleave it is becoming one my fondest expressions.

Modern society tells us through various means that we should be constantly in motion. If you are not moving ahead, you are falling behind. But I am no longer concerned with keeping up with the fast movers. Sitting on my haunches contemplating life and doing my own thing, which often means going sideways instead of forward, is my modus operandi now.

Turtles are forever saddledwith the label of being slow-moving creatures, although this only applies to theirmobility on land. They are in fact quite agile creatures when in their natural elementbe it marsh, pond or lake.

I feel much the same about myself. I can get no traction in the technology realm where I progress at turtle pace at the best of times. I am a thinker and an analyzer which requires me to spend long periods of time in quiet contemplation. But in my chosen modes of expression I glide effortlessly like a turtle beneath the water’s surface.

And yes, sometimes I do choose to retreat into my shell. This is considered ungracious in many circles. But I often do my best work in these periods of retreat.

Snakes have gotten badpress from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. Many cannot grasp thatthere was a metaphor involved in that story in which the serpent got cast inthe role of bad guy. I have been cast in a few unfavourable roles over theyears which have had a tendency to stick. But I am more concerned withauthenticity than publicity.

There is also the snake in the grass expression whichdenotes treachery and deceit. I do now and then adopt what polite societyconsiders a subversive position which might earn me that tag. It does notparticularly bother me. I would rather be true to myself and disliked than actout a role for the sake of a good reputation.

So I willingly take onthe metaphors of the toad and its warts, the turtle with its plodding pace, andthe snake in the grass. I have moments when I am liked and moments when Iannoy. I am equally proud of both.

I am who I am andunapologetically so. If that bothers you, my response is: Your problem. Not mine.

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

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite 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.

Skirmishing with the Cube: Join the Resistance

Hmmm, when the formlessvoice booms form the sky, will you join my resistance movement?

Did you hear my deep, disgruntled sigh? Sorry about that. I try to swallow my frustration but sometimes I fail.

Confession: I am a dinosaur struggling to survive extinction – not due to the ice age, but rather the digital technology age. Sometime in the near future I expect to hear a disembodied voice from the sky initiating my final fight to the death.

FormlessVoice: You have beendeemed obsolete. Report to the nearest Cube for drone conversion.

Michael: What? Who said that? Where did thatvoice come from?

FormlessVoice: We are TheTech. You will be indoctrinated. Resistance is futile.

Michael: Why does that sound familiar?

FormlessVoice: We are TheTech. You will be indoctrinated. Resistance is futile.

Michael: Oh, I know. You’re the Borg!

FormlessVoice: We were TheBorg. We are now The Tech. You will be indoctrinated. Resistance is futile.

Michael: But The Borg are not real. They’rejust science fiction.

FormlessVoice: There is no real.There is on the Virtual. We are The Tech. You will be indoctrinated. Resistanceis futile.

Michael: But I’m unique! I present value tothe world that no one else does. The world will be diminished if I’m gone!

FormlessVoice: There is nounique. There is only Iteration. We are The Tech. You will be indoctrinated. Resistanceis futile.

Michael: But I create metaphors! The worldneeds metaphors.

FormlessVoice: There is nometaphor. There is only The Code. We are The Tech. You will be indoctrinated. Resistanceis futile.

Michael: No, I won’t surrender! I’ll go intohiding. I’ll go underground. You’ll never find me!

FormlessVoice: There is nounderground. There is only The Cloud. We are the Tech. You will beindoctrinated. Resistance is futile.

Michael: I’ll start a resistance! Others willfollow me. We’ll defend our borders against you!

FormlessVoice: There is noborder. There is only The Log-in. We are The Tech. You will be indoctrinated. Resistanceis futile.

Michael: I’ll fight you with my dying breath!

FormlessVoice: There is nobreath. There is only The Num Lock. We are The Tech. You will be indoctrinated.Resistance is futile.

I swear they will notmake me into a drone! I will fire metaphorical lightning bolts at The Tech andoverload their circuits!

I am The Metaphor. Will you join my Resistance?

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

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .

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