Not So Private Thoughts, Uncategorized

Unmasking the Devious Schemers

Ah, my dear readers, allow me to regale you with a tale of the most curious and vexing predicament that has befallen me. It is a matter of great import, a veritable opera of deceit and manipulation, where the protagonists are none other than those who purport to be virtuous yet are the very architects of falsehood and treachery.

In the grand tapestry of life, we all encounter individuals who, like chameleons, can change their colors to suit their nefarious purposes. Alas, I have had the misfortune of crossing paths with such a cunning soul, who, in their pursuit of self-aggrandizement, have resorted to the most egregious of tactics.

Picture, if you will, a scene where mendacity reigns supreme. Falsehoods, like weeds in a neglected garden, have been sown with reckless abandon. And what is their nefarious intent, you ask? To besmirch my name and tarnish the bonds that bind me to my beloved sons.

Ah, but fear not, dear readers, for I am not one to let the machinations of deceitful interlopers mar the sanctity of the familial ties that have endured through the annals of time. It is said that the truth shall set you free, and in this grand melodrama, the truth is my shield and my sword.

While these Machiavellian manipulators revel in their deception, I shall stand firm, unwavering in my commitment to the veracity of my character and the integrity of my family. For, in the end, it is they who must reckon with the consequences of their duplicity, and I, in my steadfast resolve, shall be the beacon of moral rectitude.

So, my dear readers, let us raise our metaphorical quills and pen a paean to the indomitable spirit that refuses to be cowed by the perfidy of those who would seek to sow discord. Let us be the keepers of our own narratives, the composers of our own destinies, and the guardians of the truth.

In this theatre of life, where falsehood and deceit may lurk in the shadows, let us be the stars of our own highbrow comedy, for we shall not let the agents of deception steal the spotlight. And as the curtain falls on this tale of intrigue and deception, may it be known that truth and virtue shall always prevail in the end.

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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Social Commentary

Parental Abdication

In a world where parents are increasingly entrusting their children’s upbringing to the ever-watchful eye of the government, one can’t help but wonder if we’ve stumbled into an episode of “The Twilight Zone.” It’s as if the fine art of parenting has been outsourced to bureaucrats and policymakers who have mastered the intricate dance of red tape and regulations. After all, why bother with the pesky details of raising your own kids when you can hand them over to the caring arms of the state? It’s an absurdity of epic proportions and one that deserves a raised eyebrow and a wry smile.

Picture this: parents swapping bedtime stories for government-issued pamphlets on proper sleep hygiene. Instead of teaching their children the value of hard work and responsibility, they simply let the state take care of it, complete with a handy chore chart and a monthly stipend. And why bother imparting life’s essential lessons when there’s an app for that? Yes, folks, we’ve reached a point where parents are more than happy to abdicate their parenting duties in favor of letting the government do the heavy lifting. It’s a strange world indeed when the Department of Parental Oversight has a hotline for timeouts, and the Ministry of Lunchbox Inspections ensures that your child’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches adhere to strict nutritional guidelines.

Newsom’s war on parents – That’s a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?! Let’s all move to California.
https://www.newsmax.com/michaeldorstewitz/california-newsom-parents/2023/11/03/id/1140888/

Unplug, set restrictions, and, for God’s sake, be a parent OR just hand over those responsibilities to the government.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/33-states-sue-meta-alleging-social-media-platforms-fueled-youth-mental-health-crisis

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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General Ramblings, Uncategorized

The Sleepy Rebellion: How Insomnia Is Our Silent Protest

In a world where sleep is often regarded as a mere necessity, it’s time for a revolution—a sleepy rebellion, if you will. We’ve been doing it all wrong, and insomnia? It’s not a curse; it’s our silent protest against the outdated norms of slumber.

The Pillow Conspiracy: Let’s start with the most sinister culprit—the pillow. Those soft, fluffy, seemingly innocent sleep enhancers? They’re part of the problem! Instead of cradling our heads, they’re plotting to suffocate our sleep. Ever wonder why we wake up with our hair in chaos? The pillows are staging a nighttime coup.

Blanket Banditry: It’s not just the pillows; the blankets are in on it too. They lull us into a false sense of security, ensnaring us in a cocoon of comfort until our limbs go numb. It’s a plot to keep us stationary, turning us into drowsy mummies. Insomnia is our way of saying, “No more blanket bondage!”

Bedhead Brigade: We’ve been told that the more comfortable the mattress, the better the sleep. Lies! The mattress industry is secretly working with the pillows and blankets to keep us captive in our beds. Insomnia is our way of fighting back, showing them that we won’t be confined to a stationary existence.

The Midnight Museums: Our bedrooms have become miniature museums, filled with screens, blinking lights, and buzzing gadgets. It’s like sleeping in a sci-fi movie. Insomnia is our way of rebelling against this futuristic sleep dystopia, where our nights are more wired than our mornings.

Counting Sheep? Try Counting Zeros: The notion of counting sheep to fall asleep is as outdated as dial-up internet. We’re in the digital age, people! Try counting the zeros on your bank balance or the unread emails in your inbox. That should knock you out faster than a herd of sheep.

Snoring: The Silent Protest Chorus: Snoring isn’t a sleep disorder; it’s a synchronized protest against conventional sleep. It’s our way of saying, “We won’t conform to your quiet slumber standards. We’ll make noise to keep things interesting!”

The Nocturnal Rebellion: Insomnia isn’t the enemy; it’s our battle cry. It’s our way of telling the world that we won’t sleep on command. We won’t conform to the norms of bedtime. We’ll toss, turn, and stare at the ceiling in defiance until we’re good and ready to snooze.

So, there you have it, folks—insomnia isn’t the villain; it’s the hero we need. It’s our rebellion against the sleep-industrial complex, the mattress mafia, and the pillow posse. The next time you find yourself tossing and turning at 3 AM, remember: you’re not struggling; you’re participating in the great sleepy rebellion. Keep fighting the good fight, one sleepless night at a time!

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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General Ramblings, Not So Private Thoughts, Parenting, Uncategorized

The Hidden Control You Didn’t Know You Had

The course could have effortlessly veered in a different direction, holding the potential for either considerably more favorable or significantly more adverse outcomes. It is a common temptation to presume that destiny preordains these results, though such a belief is unfounded.

Does the responsibility fall upon your shoulders, or was it the whimsical hand of fortune (whether beneficent or malevolent)?

Should our historical account be burdened with persistent second-guessing, self-reproach, or the apportionment of blame, it has the potential to endure. Alternatively, it is plausible that we may have exaggerated our own talents, diligence, and acumen, while serendipity, in reality, played a substantial role.

Through the recalibration of our retrospective narrative, we lay the groundwork for the emergence of an alternative future.

My children are wholeheartedly embracing their journey toward human development, while we, as responsible adults, are wholeheartedly embracing our journey towards maturity.

We achieve this not through self-criticism or censure of our children but by fostering unwavering faith in our own and our children’s capacity to evolve and flourish.

We wield a more substantial degree of control over this narrative than we acknowledge.

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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Private

13 years don’t change much.

I looked at my Papa, mom, Nana, and my Opa. All crying, some begging God, some cursing God and some numb.

My Papa kissed me on the cheek, ruffled my hair, tickled my feet, and left for work, leaving me with mom and a bowl of Cheerios. Like most days, but this was not like most days.
Left to my own devices, I kept myself busy exploring and taking advantage of my newfound freedom, as any 18-month-old would. It’s time to take my exploration outside.

At work, the phone rings. Hello? ___ silence.
Hello? What! No!

I walked through the door to our home to find law enforcement officers and paramedics all blurred into a shapeless mass of urgency and despair.

I have no idea how long I was outside or how I ended up in the pool, but there I was. The paramedics’ haunting words—several minutes. Several minutes of trying to remember the drills that the swim instructor taught me, of trying the find the edge, of fighting the water-weighted clothes, of trying the catch my breath. I need to catch my breath. HELP! Help. help, hel….

At the hospital thirteen years ago was the last time I kissed you on the cheek, but not the last time I said I love you.

I love you.

Papa

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General Ramblings, Parenting

End Up in the Middle of Nowhere!

So, picture this: as we embark on this epic road trip, envision the moment when we finally reach our destination. It might be the perfect opportunity to consider hitting the brakes and calling it a day, right? We’ve achieved what we set out to do, which feels like a triumph! But hold on a moment, what if… and bear with me on this wild idea? What if the true essence of this adventure lies in relishing every step of the journey? I mean, think about it, my friends! It’s like declaring, “Hey, we’ve arrived, but you know what? Let’s continue on because we adore the exhilaration of the pursuit!” It’s a paradox wrapped in an enigma, I must say! Who needs a destination when the delight of the ride is what truly matters!

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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Not So Private Thoughts

Unbreakable Bonds: How a 23-Year, and Counting, Friendship Defied Time, Distance, and Charging Rhino

Life’s like a crazy roller coaster, but friendships like this are the sturdy seatbelts keeping you strapped in even during the wildest loops. They’re like indestructible forts that survive even the most epic battles of time and distance. I recently met with my brother-from-another-mother, of 23 years. Boy, it was like a favorite old song on cassette tape, humming along like no time had passed. This kind of friend, one who’d, without hesitation, face a charging rhino for you, and you them, makes you feel more than just garden-variety thankful. True friendship doesn’t count the hangouts, but the no-skip-a-beat reunions – that’s the magic that outruns the clock!

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General Ramblings, Social Commentary

You Won’t Believe What People Are Identifying As Now!

Folks, we’re entering a new frontier in this era of identity politics – identifying as animals*. You heard me right. There’s children out there who think they’re more at home with whiskers and tails than with the rest of us human beings. This trend has me scratching my head.

Call me old-fashioned, but last I checked, we’re not a bunch of barnyard animals; we’re people. Isn’t it the human condition that makes us special? We’re the only species that questions, learns, and grows beyond our primitive instincts. And yet, here we are, with some people trying to escape it all by identifying as Fido or Fluffy.

This animal charade is nothing more than an absurd attempt to dodge the realities of being human. It seems to me, we’re not monkeys or manatees. We’re men and women, blessed with intellect, consciousness, and the ability to rise above the natural world. Let’s not let our desire for individuality turn us into a zoo!

* https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22801958/parents-teachers-warned-schoolkids-furries/

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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General Ramblings

From Apathy to Significance

To care or not to care, that is the existential dilemma. Opting for apathy seems enticing, evading responsibilities and seeking ease. Yet, caring bestows the power to make a difference, to imbue life with meaning. Admittedly, it may evoke heartache, but it also unveils the path to significance. When we care, we wield influence, leaving an enduring legacy. So, let us choose to care audaciously, embracing the noble quest to shape our world. In this enigmatic journey, we discover purpose, purpose that transcends the ordinary and echoes throughout eternity.

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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General Ramblings, Social Commentary

Beggers, Lepers and Prostitutes

A woman I once knew expressed her perception of the “lawn guy” role as a simple, get in-and-out and just leave. That’s a prostitute’s mindset. Those words stuck with me like stubborn red wine stains on a white Oxford dress shirt.

These folks after often ignored like panhandlers or lepers to be avoided, but in actuality, they’re a bunch of go-getters and the very definition of bootstrapping entrepreneurs. We’re talking salespeople, bookkeepers, accountants, HR managers, and all-around hardworking men and women. These superheroes don’t rack up vacation days, invest in 401k’s, or get to work from their cozy, air-conditioned offices. Nope, they brave the fiery pits of Florida summers, weather rainstorms like pros, and laugh in the face of chilly cold fronts, with little to no thanks.

So, next time you cross paths with your trusty lawn guy, pool guy, UberEats (or any other hardworking hero in disguise), take a second to break out your best friendly wave, a cheerful greeting, or even a subtle nod of appreciation and acknowledgment. Give ’em the recognition they deserve for tackling those mundane tasks we either can’t or won’t do. Believe me, they’ll appreciate it and it might even make their day. Just don’t be surprised if they respond with a proud grin.

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme

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