Posts Tagged ‘Life Enrichment’
November 3, 2010
Translating a joke into English is a challenge for the normal student of Spanish or other foreign languages. To comprehend subtle humor one needs to understand the nuances of the language which include slang, neologisms and colloquial expressions. Word for word transslation usually does not work since it often results in nonsense. In short, we must translate the “sense” of the phrase.
Here are some jokes from, “About Politics and Worse Things,” a clipping from an unidentified Spanish language newspaper. The want of humor may be due to its lack in the original or, more likely, to poor translation.
It’s Old Age
You know you are getting old when you wake up in the morning feeling the effects of the previous night, and then suddenly realize that you did absolutely nothing.
It’s The Size
A timid, but fervent suitor tells his girlfriend “Rosibel, I carry your image here in my brain.” Rosibel replies “Ah, you make me feel so small.”
It’s The Sass
Look, Manolito,” the mother said severely to her son, “Don’t talk back to me when your father is here. It will give him a bad example.”
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Tags:humor, jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment
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October 8, 2010
”An hour in front of a TV is an hour of your life lost.” A German named Horst spoke these melancholic words September 11, 2010 on www.hereiwalk, a website created by an American couple, Sarah and Andrew Wilson, who in September and October 2010 are retracing the steps of Martin Luther’s trek from Erfurt, Germany to Rome in 1515. Many agree with this assessment, especially educators and parents.
Nevertheless, prolonged TV watching has even more consequences according to Emily Mann, www.Rodale.com, May 6, 2010 on Yahoo.com September 8, 2010. This popular medium not only promotes obesity, but can lead to depression!
Furthermore, a study showed that even 30 minutes of exercise after two hours of TV viewing do little to reduce the associated anxiety and depression. Where are the endorphins which the brain secretes during vigorous exercise and which normally promote a feeling of well-being? What happened to them? There are no clear answers. Obviously, if this turns out of be a large problem, more research is needed. So far it is not a major issue.
But television is not defenseless. It renders useful information, training and entertainment. Its problem is that much of its programming is basically mindless and stimulates neither body nor brain
Tags:Life Enrichment, Television, Television Effects
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August 31, 2010
Vex seems a slightly archaic word, one more suited to 19th Century English novels. It simply means to afflict or annoy which can be the effect on people who get questions about their age.
Different ages look on age differently. Ask a young boy how old he is, and he may respond with an enthusiastic “I’m seven and going on eight.” He can’t wait to get older. Give the same question to a mature man, who would be happy to put aging on hold, and if he responds, it may be a grumpy “60” and a quick change of subject.
Women seem to be more sensitive to inquiries about age than men. Years ago I volunteered to register people eligible to vote, On the registration form, in replying to the age question, some would write merely “21 plus.” Meanwhile, I tried to guess their actual age. Silently, of course.
Curiously, this emphasis on age secrecy lessens with the passage of time. It is not unusual for a very senior lady to take pride in her age. She is not only are happy to reveal it, but volunteers it with an uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
Tags:aging gracefully, humor, joyful aging, Life Enrichment, senior humor, Senior Life Enrichment, senior socialabilty
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August 21, 2010
Everyone encounters situations that call for comment, but the mind is helpless for words. Somewhere in the dim reaches of my mind lingers the ancient question which calls for an answer: “What do you say to a naked lady?
Recently while pondering a suitable response and unable to find one using more imagination than “Put some clothes on,” I happily remembered an old Internet joke that solved the problem, i.e., pretend that the lady is a man, as in the following example:
A plumber was training his son in the fine points of the business. He pointed out how quick thinking and tact could extricate him from an embarrassing situation while on the job. He recounted this example of the previous day.
A hotel called the father to fix a drainage problem in the bath of one of the rooms. After finishing, and on his way out, he mistakenly entered another bath and found a lady soaking in the tub. The unflustered father said “Good morning, Sir.”
Vowing to keep that in mind, the impressed son was called the next day to the honeymoon suite in another hotel. Unfortunately, upon entering, he found the newlyweds still in bed. With his inherited composure he cheerfully said “Good morning, gentlemen” and with his toolbox went straight to the bathroom.
Tags:Hotel Humor, humor, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, Plumbing Humor
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July 19, 2010
In July, 2010 while visiting for a few days in the family home in Iowa I discovered an old pair of spats worn for a time in 1942-43. Popular in the 19th and early twentieth centuries, this shoe garment is worn only in the modern world by the U.S. Infantry and marching bands.
For me they represented dapper elegance in the years before the draft sent me to the U.S. Army. In junior and senior year high school I remember the mirror showing me sporting a brown sports coat, brown trousers with dark brown transversal lines, white shirt, and a brown tie leaning on a tiny gold or silver rod that connected the ends of the shirt collar. Spats covered the oxford shoes. A white handkerchief deftly fit in the front pocket of the coat. I can’t remember the movie star I fancied to mimic but he must have been good-looking. The reader may ask, why brown? Well, brown is or was popular in rural areas since it reminded people of the earth, the source of their livelihood.
While these spats were designed for show, they also had a practical effect. The cloth covering the shoe warmed the feet during the cold and snowy Midwestern winters when style-oriented young men did not want to go out wearing ugly overshoes.
In case these words stimulate the reader to yearn for spats in 2010, he can go to the Internet and find instructions and illustrations for making his own. He may find that this example and web site post may help bring this long-neglected accessory back in style. Perish the thought!
Tags:19th Century Fashions, Early 20th Century Fashions, joyful aging, laugh for health, Life Enrichment, senior humor, senior laughter, Senior Life Enrichment, Senior Memories, shoe coverings, Spats
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June 21, 2010
How do you achieve the apex in a skill? Practice it for 10,000 hours according to Malcolm Gladwell in his 2008 book “Outliers.” That works out to 1250 eight-hour days or 3.4 years which does not seem like a big chunk of time for the average life span.
It is apparent, however, that merely waking up one day and resolving to become a concert pianist will not result in fame and fortune. The author cites evidence that the month of birth and environment of the youngster have decisive influence. Nevertheless, vigorous and sustained practice will produce the desired results for nature’s chosen candidate.
Obviously, most senior citizens don’t want to, or cannot, set aside 10.000 hours to attain an improbable dream. Thankfully, within reach are many desirable and reasonable objectives for improving daily lives. Circumstances vary from person to person, but some type of physical and intellectual activity is available for almost anyone, and there are public and private agencies eager to help.
There is one responsibility for the senior. He or she must resolve to overcome age-related inertia and participate in activities that teach new skills or expand social contacts.
Tags:humor, jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, senior contentment, senior laughter, senior wellbeing
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June 11, 2010
For whatever reasons, seniors often misinterpret or get a false impression of the words uttered by the people around them. No. I One day a cardiologist was looking out the window of his downtown office and on the sidewalk below saw a prancing young lady on the arms of one of his very senior patients who was moving at a similar pace.. The next day the gentleman came in for his monthly medical review. The doctor marveled “I can see that you are doing well, really well.” ”Yes, doctor,” replied the senior, “I owe it all to you. You told me to get a hot mama and be cheerful.” “I did not tell you that “exclaimed the doctor. I said you that you have a heart murmur. Be careful.”
No. II Before her first plane ride friends, told a little old lady that chewing gum would keep her ears from popping during the flight.. After finally landing, she turned to her seat companion and said, “The chewing gum works fine, but how do I get it out of my ears?”
Unfortunately, misinterpretations are not confined to the third age. Young people, too, are occasional victims.
Mother: “Did you thank Mrs. Jones for the lovely party she gave?
Tommy: “No, mommy. The girl leaving just before me thanked her, and Mrs. Jones said ‘Don’t mention it.’ “So I didn’t.”
Tags:humor, jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment
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June 6, 2010
An aging priest in rural Chile was preaching a sermon. He halted abruptly and with embarrassment muttered “I’ve lost my thought. “Immediately, a parishioner jumped up and yelled to all “Nobody leave until the father finds his thought.” Based on personal experience that congregation will not be able to wait for that unlikely event. This good cleric suffered a frustration that seniors worldwide acknowledge daily, i.e. short term memory loss. Vexed speakers seek a real remedy which, sadly, does not normally exist.
Publications and books abound with suggestions that will not cure, but which may help the victim manage the problem . Victim is the appropriate word because the problem is usually not the fault of the stymied speaker. The medical community assigns most of the blame to the hostile aging process. I used to give speeches 20-30 minutes in length with no discernible notes but with prior study and rehearsal. Yes, I had a “safety net” of notes hidden in a jacket pocket ready to use in an emergency.
Recently, on observing my uncertain delivery, a much younger professional speaker in the audience suggested I use notes, her regular practice. This is a good idea, but it does not eliminate the necessity of thorough knowledge of the subject.
Another hint is talking around (circumlocution) a forgotten sentence or idea. If the speaker knows the subject well, this technique can cause some slight hesitation and even a stammer or two, but it may avoid major embarrassment.
Medical science has made a lot of progress, but much remains to be done. Senior citizens, both professional speakers and others, clamor for a big reduction in cases of short-term memory loss. They eagerly await the progress of science.
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Tags:humor, jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment
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April 28, 2010
Everyone knows that exercise is beneficial for all ages, including seniors.
As a youth I was only moderately active, but about the time of the Royal Canadian Air Force Exercise Book, I vigorously embraced our northern neighbor’s physical fitness ethos by doing the prescribed movements. After I suffered a degenerated lower disk in 1972, the legendary Dr. Paul Williams prescribed back exercises which I followed regularly for several years. Five or six subsequent orthopedists since suggested variations, but the routine continued.
Dr, Williams did not like the stress on the joints resulting from running. so to appease me he suggested jogging in place with hands on the back of a lower chair or on a table while rapidly moving the legs backwards and forwards. This style of jogging from ten to 30 minutes in hotel rooms at night did not create contented neighbors, especially on the floor below. After maybe two years of this, I became seriously interested in swimming, and after much practice, a goal of one mile per 50 minutes was reached. Since walking was and is a popular physical activity, I did a lot of it also. This new zeal prevailed until about 2004, when physical symptoms required a change of routine.
Currently the exercise consists of muscle movements, weight lifting and water therapy.
Almost everyone probably wonders whether all of this activity is worth the time invested. I take comfort from a fitness fanatic who remarked: “At least you know you will die healthy.”
Tags:aging gracefully, humor, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, senior humor, senior laughter
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April 17, 2010
A Senior citizen in 2010 has had years of practice communicating with family, friends and countless others in a multitude of situations. Nevertheless, even the experienced conversationalist may hesitate during an encounter with someone from a different country or a completely different lifestyle. Many years ago I attended a series of lectures on business practices of various nations. The speaker, whose name, unfortunately, I forgot, suggested a simple technique to help start a conversation with an unknown person from another country.
Although simple, it does require a little preparation in advance. Before the visit, obtain minimal facts about the new person’s country such as its history, geography or accomplishments of its citizens. Extensive research is unnecessary. Finally, during the encounter, look for opportunities to ask a question based on the information you read. In all likelihood the visitor will be flattered, maybe even elated, that you show interest in some aspect of his homeland.
A few examples of such questions with the appropriate foreign visitor: “Why is Benito Juarez such a popular figure in Mexico?
In the Welsh settlements of Argentina do the people keep their language and culture? Borneo is fascinating land. Have you seen some of its interesting animals?
With appropriate variations this technique can be used in any new encounter anywhere. For your next visit advanced study may not be necessary. You may already have questions in mind you’ve always wanted to ask somebody.
Tags:aging gracefully, humor, jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, Senior Life Enrichment
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