‘Holidaze’: Burn Out; Opt Out; Call Out
Hi and Welcome to the A & J PEI Treasures E Jean Simpson Author Blog Post and Podcast. I’m your host, Jean coming to you from the beautiful Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada!! The blog post and podcast is an opinion piece and only reflects this author’s opinion and not that of any other entity. I hold no designations in politics, economics or medicine. I am retired from the mental health field. I am a humanitarian and speak from that viewpoint only. Whether you agree or not, at least I hope it makes you think. This week I talk about many things including a new condition for which I coin the term ‘Holidaze’. If you want to find out more, then stay tuned…!
First, before I begin the whole thing, I would like to express thanks to you, readers and listeners. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Anchor/Spotify’s wrap up. It was a lovely thought. At first, I couldn’t figure out where the link took me….it seemed some kind of hybrid link. I’m not familiar with it so was mildly confused. It was a lovely thought….and since it came on my actual Anchor Account I presume some kind of hybrid link. The specialized link sort of thing can be confusing to patrons and to their followers, so best to point out that it is a specialized link to avoid problems. I knew it must be legit since it came from Anchor and I went to the page without using a link anywhere. In other words, I went to the link cold without using links in the notice because it is always safer to find the actual page to make sure it is a legit site offering. I happily used it as a thank you to the followers, readers, listeners, family and friend and the podcast companies got the advertising. So, right now I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anchor, Spotify and all of you as I wouldn’t have a podcast or blog post without you. Thanks!
This year, I’ve started seeing holiday posts already. I think I’ve gone into ‘Holidaze’ mode. My definition of ‘Holidaze’ is:
‘The feeling of being absolutely overwhelmed by holiday glitz and glamour when seen in juxtaposition to the realities one sees in the news, and media. It becomes more salient that there is a wide disparity in the world’s events and the ‘season’ makes it more clearly defined.’
This is the mode where you look at the news and your social media timeline with all the attention grabbing stuff right now going on in Twitter coming from the new owner. I’m sure he is a brilliant Engineer, he’s proven that. This does not necessarily translate into good with people or marketing…no one is good at everything.
Then you also find yourself looking at the horrors going on in the world and things feel surreal. You look at the issues going on in your own back yard (the saying since most Maritimers and Atlantic Canadians consider the whole area to be your own back yard, or at least I do). You see the people dying in Emergency Rooms in a Province next door. This article talks about one of the cases (https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/patient-d...). Sadly this is just one case out of more in the Province in the past year and two in the past few weeks alone. You see the thefts and murders going on in the world in general. You wonder just what is going on in the world with all the murders and intolerance.
On Twitter, there are people pushing an agenda for unfettered freedom of speech. This might have some benefits, but it does not take into account the serious repercussions that could occur from allowing free reign to free speech that targets other people. It could result in violence targeting people of different races, religions, genders or orientations. There has been at least one study that I could find quickly that addresses this very issue. https://phys.org/news/2019-10-online-.... They find that there was an increase in hate speech. They found that in some cases it resulted in an increase in real world violence against immigrants in one area. I’m sure there are other viewpoints and other studies. I have long been a proponent that the definition of Freedom of Speech should include some element of responsibility of the speaker. So, on the basis of potential harm to our fellow human beings, I would be happier to see less of it.
This concept of potential to harm others with unfettered freedom of speech brings us to the concept of ‘evaluations for potential for harm’ or ‘risk assessment’. This means very similar things and is important to many different professions. The main point is, according to this Wiki article, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_as... that one considers what potential impacts of a particular action are. Then one has to decide what level of risk is acceptable. This is dependent on different factors in different situations and on the situations themselves. Often, when human lives could be put at risk, this takes first priority. For this reason, it is often important to consider what is actually known by research into the area. People who deal with ‘risk assessment’ know that to make the wrong choice might result in violence against people. It could result in deaths. Toward this end, it makes it important to consider the actual impacts rather than the theoretical arguments. In other words, people potentially dying should be seen as more important than living in a theoretically perfect world. Sorry, it’s not always easy nor is it simple and the world is anything but theoretically perfect. This is where people who live only by theory and words can run into trouble. There are real life effects to be considered. So, before jumping on the band wagon in favour of unfettered free speech, it’s imperative to also find out what the potential consequences are to your fellow humans.
The other factor that has my head going on a ‘Holidaze’ is well, the holidays. Every year, they start around Remembrance Day. I’m not particularly a fan of the Holiday and this is long standing. I find there is a focus on attending office parties and generally, at least when I was in the work force, this was a ‘prove your loyalty’ aspect. You were ‘required’ to attend in a lot of cases. You were required to ‘mingle’ in some form. It extends to shops playing the same tired music over and over. I sometimes think there should be some sort of award for any staff members still sane after a month or so of that. Then there is the long standing feud of call it Christmas, no call it holidays. At a time of year where there are more holidays than just the Christian one, I have often felt that it would have been somewhat interesting to be exposed, even a little, to different ethnic holiday music, something new and different, some different traditions. But, that seems to get screaming, fighting and crying started. So, often I just tune out. I wouldn’t mind learning different things. But, it appears that I’m the weird one. It seems that many see that idea as a threat. Yeah, I’m weird.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-holiday nor am I anti-Christmas. I’m rather ambivalent about holidays in general. I always found that this particular season is so full of hype and after enforced holiday/Christmas party attendance; I became less enthusiastic about it. After being told I had to have a specific dress in a specific set of colours and that what I had bought was not appropriate, I just picked something in the closet that matched their colour scheme. Part of the mingling included a seating chart. I had wondered why we weren’t dressed as nut crackers and made to stand in a corner. Not everyone is a big celebration person. I found the least bad experience from a workplace was one that everyone in a big room, there was some choice of food. You sat with whomever you chose. Even then, I found it difficult because the noise was high, but the meal was pleasant and no one enforced a dress code. I had no ability to pay attention to much and found it exhausting. But, then I’m the type of person who had to wear ear plugs in a concert to be able to hear it and did the same for going to movies. I didn’t tend to enjoy going to movies and preferred the Drive In. Literally an outdoor theatre where you either switch to a particular station that played the show or there was a box you put in the window and rolled up the window to reduce flies and other noise and it played the show. Then there was a big screen at the front. Cars parked in rows and watched it. They still have some in small towns.
So, for those who are not suffering from the ‘Holidaze’ and those who aren’t that big on holidays, be kind. We don’t always fit in with the rest of the world in quite the same way as ‘everyone else’ does. I think ‘Holidaze’ should be a special category. I think some of us suffer it early in the season whereas some never do. I don’t know if it is a philosophical dilemma or and ethical one. Maybe we’re just a diverse group of individuals who want to see the world actually follow that old “Peace on Earth and Good Will” thing in a more tolerant way. Either way, we’re different, we’re looking for a better world and I’m sure that there is still a possibility of finding or creating one. Whether you agree with me or not, I hope I made you think. Thanks for listening to my podcast and/or reading my blog post and thanks for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures! Keep watching because we’re always working on something. Thank you!
The podcast that matches this blog post can be found on Anchor FM: https://anchor.fm/a--j-pei-treasures/...
Blog Posts are available on
WordPress: https://aandjpeitreasures.wordpress.com/ and
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Podcast are available on:
Anchor FM in a variety of formats: https://anchor.fm/a--j-pei-treasures
iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-e-...
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/e-... name a few
All my e-books can be found on:
Smashwords (my Affiliate link): https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
You can also find us on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EJS08026749
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5zp...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/ej2466
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-s-151a...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewAandJP...
First, before I begin the whole thing, I would like to express thanks to you, readers and listeners. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Anchor/Spotify’s wrap up. It was a lovely thought. At first, I couldn’t figure out where the link took me….it seemed some kind of hybrid link. I’m not familiar with it so was mildly confused. It was a lovely thought….and since it came on my actual Anchor Account I presume some kind of hybrid link. The specialized link sort of thing can be confusing to patrons and to their followers, so best to point out that it is a specialized link to avoid problems. I knew it must be legit since it came from Anchor and I went to the page without using a link anywhere. In other words, I went to the link cold without using links in the notice because it is always safer to find the actual page to make sure it is a legit site offering. I happily used it as a thank you to the followers, readers, listeners, family and friend and the podcast companies got the advertising. So, right now I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anchor, Spotify and all of you as I wouldn’t have a podcast or blog post without you. Thanks!
This year, I’ve started seeing holiday posts already. I think I’ve gone into ‘Holidaze’ mode. My definition of ‘Holidaze’ is:
‘The feeling of being absolutely overwhelmed by holiday glitz and glamour when seen in juxtaposition to the realities one sees in the news, and media. It becomes more salient that there is a wide disparity in the world’s events and the ‘season’ makes it more clearly defined.’
This is the mode where you look at the news and your social media timeline with all the attention grabbing stuff right now going on in Twitter coming from the new owner. I’m sure he is a brilliant Engineer, he’s proven that. This does not necessarily translate into good with people or marketing…no one is good at everything.
Then you also find yourself looking at the horrors going on in the world and things feel surreal. You look at the issues going on in your own back yard (the saying since most Maritimers and Atlantic Canadians consider the whole area to be your own back yard, or at least I do). You see the people dying in Emergency Rooms in a Province next door. This article talks about one of the cases (https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/patient-d...). Sadly this is just one case out of more in the Province in the past year and two in the past few weeks alone. You see the thefts and murders going on in the world in general. You wonder just what is going on in the world with all the murders and intolerance.
On Twitter, there are people pushing an agenda for unfettered freedom of speech. This might have some benefits, but it does not take into account the serious repercussions that could occur from allowing free reign to free speech that targets other people. It could result in violence targeting people of different races, religions, genders or orientations. There has been at least one study that I could find quickly that addresses this very issue. https://phys.org/news/2019-10-online-.... They find that there was an increase in hate speech. They found that in some cases it resulted in an increase in real world violence against immigrants in one area. I’m sure there are other viewpoints and other studies. I have long been a proponent that the definition of Freedom of Speech should include some element of responsibility of the speaker. So, on the basis of potential harm to our fellow human beings, I would be happier to see less of it.
This concept of potential to harm others with unfettered freedom of speech brings us to the concept of ‘evaluations for potential for harm’ or ‘risk assessment’. This means very similar things and is important to many different professions. The main point is, according to this Wiki article, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_as... that one considers what potential impacts of a particular action are. Then one has to decide what level of risk is acceptable. This is dependent on different factors in different situations and on the situations themselves. Often, when human lives could be put at risk, this takes first priority. For this reason, it is often important to consider what is actually known by research into the area. People who deal with ‘risk assessment’ know that to make the wrong choice might result in violence against people. It could result in deaths. Toward this end, it makes it important to consider the actual impacts rather than the theoretical arguments. In other words, people potentially dying should be seen as more important than living in a theoretically perfect world. Sorry, it’s not always easy nor is it simple and the world is anything but theoretically perfect. This is where people who live only by theory and words can run into trouble. There are real life effects to be considered. So, before jumping on the band wagon in favour of unfettered free speech, it’s imperative to also find out what the potential consequences are to your fellow humans.
The other factor that has my head going on a ‘Holidaze’ is well, the holidays. Every year, they start around Remembrance Day. I’m not particularly a fan of the Holiday and this is long standing. I find there is a focus on attending office parties and generally, at least when I was in the work force, this was a ‘prove your loyalty’ aspect. You were ‘required’ to attend in a lot of cases. You were required to ‘mingle’ in some form. It extends to shops playing the same tired music over and over. I sometimes think there should be some sort of award for any staff members still sane after a month or so of that. Then there is the long standing feud of call it Christmas, no call it holidays. At a time of year where there are more holidays than just the Christian one, I have often felt that it would have been somewhat interesting to be exposed, even a little, to different ethnic holiday music, something new and different, some different traditions. But, that seems to get screaming, fighting and crying started. So, often I just tune out. I wouldn’t mind learning different things. But, it appears that I’m the weird one. It seems that many see that idea as a threat. Yeah, I’m weird.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-holiday nor am I anti-Christmas. I’m rather ambivalent about holidays in general. I always found that this particular season is so full of hype and after enforced holiday/Christmas party attendance; I became less enthusiastic about it. After being told I had to have a specific dress in a specific set of colours and that what I had bought was not appropriate, I just picked something in the closet that matched their colour scheme. Part of the mingling included a seating chart. I had wondered why we weren’t dressed as nut crackers and made to stand in a corner. Not everyone is a big celebration person. I found the least bad experience from a workplace was one that everyone in a big room, there was some choice of food. You sat with whomever you chose. Even then, I found it difficult because the noise was high, but the meal was pleasant and no one enforced a dress code. I had no ability to pay attention to much and found it exhausting. But, then I’m the type of person who had to wear ear plugs in a concert to be able to hear it and did the same for going to movies. I didn’t tend to enjoy going to movies and preferred the Drive In. Literally an outdoor theatre where you either switch to a particular station that played the show or there was a box you put in the window and rolled up the window to reduce flies and other noise and it played the show. Then there was a big screen at the front. Cars parked in rows and watched it. They still have some in small towns.
So, for those who are not suffering from the ‘Holidaze’ and those who aren’t that big on holidays, be kind. We don’t always fit in with the rest of the world in quite the same way as ‘everyone else’ does. I think ‘Holidaze’ should be a special category. I think some of us suffer it early in the season whereas some never do. I don’t know if it is a philosophical dilemma or and ethical one. Maybe we’re just a diverse group of individuals who want to see the world actually follow that old “Peace on Earth and Good Will” thing in a more tolerant way. Either way, we’re different, we’re looking for a better world and I’m sure that there is still a possibility of finding or creating one. Whether you agree with me or not, I hope I made you think. Thanks for listening to my podcast and/or reading my blog post and thanks for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures! Keep watching because we’re always working on something. Thank you!
The podcast that matches this blog post can be found on Anchor FM: https://anchor.fm/a--j-pei-treasures/...
Blog Posts are available on
WordPress: https://aandjpeitreasures.wordpress.com/ and
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Podcast are available on:
Anchor FM in a variety of formats: https://anchor.fm/a--j-pei-treasures
iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-e-...
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/e-... name a few
All my e-books can be found on:
Smashwords (my Affiliate link): https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
You can also find us on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EJS08026749
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5zp...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/ej2466
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-s-151a...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewAandJP...
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A & J PEI Treasures/E Jean Simpson, BEd, BA, MA
A & J PEI Treasures is located on Prince Edward Island, Canada. We are a husband and wife team and our companion animals. There are a number of things that drew us to the Island…one of which was the n
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