Traci's Testimonials

  "Consider some of the ways in which humour can be rebellious. How might humour work to challenge authority, and what examples of this can you identify" Traci-Lynn Timony PHIL-1013-(40)-23W Dr. Edward Matthews February 12, 2023               It appears the political fruit of the twenty-first century is ripe with material for mockery. History tends to repeat itself. It is interesting to delve into the stories of historical comedy and satire and understand that authoritarian figures have quite often been the source of ridicule. From Aristophanes’ Lysistrata in which the women of Greece withhold marital relations until their husbands kiss and make up with each other to (my personal favourite) This Hour has 22 Minutes mocking Justin Trudeau’s lack of integrity in the sketch “Broken Promises Memorial Forest”, we common folk love to poke fun at our leaders. We understand that they hold authority (typically because we gave it to them willingly); however, when we view th

  "Most people would argue that an ability to be funny is often desirable when it comes to public speaking: why  do you think that is? Also, you occasionally hear people speak about “truth” being revealed through humour:  in what sense might this be possible" Traci-Lynn Timony PHIL-1013-(40)-23W Dr. Edward Matthews  January 29, 2023   As a corporate facilitator, the call to speak publicly is a standing appointment in my Outlook calendar. It is my mandate to speak frequently and unabashedly to the expectations, eventualities, and (sometimes) errors of my audiences’ chosen field. The content of some courses I offer can be bland; Effective Documentation, while not without its charms, is best taken before the afternoon slump. Other sessions have a more ominous tone; Respect, Disrespect, and Abuse has some heavy subject matter. However, small injections of appropriately placed wit tend to liven the room and can cause listeners to perk up and pay attention. Additionally, some tru

It's been a few days -- 775 to be exact.  It's been a wild 775 days! So many wonderful things have come about: revelations and vacations, acquisitions and transitions, graduations, new relations, and baby creations. My granddaughter, Sweetpea, might as well be a meme. I will have a whole new generation of posts reminiscent of her mother, aunties, and uncle Buddies dedicated solely to her. The kid is two and already has impeccable comedic timing....unlike her predecessors who were unintentionally entertaining.  My grandbuddies entered the world (albeit prematurely) with a big "PSYCH!" Having been told one would likely have an intellectual disability and the other's viability was questionable, we prepared for the worst. The "worst" turned out to be 3 kidneys between the 2 of them. So, we took to calling GrandBuddy #1 Spare Parts.  Hubby and I had THE (with a long E as grammatically incorrect as that is given the next word begins with a consonant) best summ

Six months ago today, it was just a runny nose....   I have never been a super-well person. I pick up most viruses and infections if exposed. Stomach bugs have always been my specialty though. If whatever was going around involved vomiting, my body sought it out like a brand new Air B&B owner looking for their first guest; inviting it to take up residence for however long it needed to make me feel like death.   Colds and sinus infections are tied for second place. I have been severely congested so often that I actually had to retrain myself to breathe through my nose. I literally forgot I could do that. Christmas 1996, the first year I had my own apartment, my mom brought out a huge gift bag for me. My excitement was short lived. I removed the tissue paper and saw a bulk package of Kleenex boxes. Twenty-five years later, she hasn’t missed a Christmas.   I am no stranger to sickness; neither are my children. They inherited an impressive number of my genes. From the commo

I am about to drop a bomb. It's something that no one would expect to hear from me...then again, maybe one would...or hope to. I am really not sure. Because the one thing I always thought was clear about people I know is that they are either Supporters or Opponents. But the funny thing is, I've learned that's not true. There are Supporters and Opponents but there are also Questioners and Indifferents. Also, sometimes Supporters and Opponents switch roles depending on circumstances. Questioners can be a type to themselves (just enjoying watching people fumble to answer pointed inquiries while having no vested interest) or they can be a sub-type under Supporter (gaining more info to share in your joy/understand your hurt) or Opponent (thinks you could not have possibly thought of all the things they have because you are so very, very wrong). All four of these types and sub-types of people are important, necessary even! They help shape and define a person. They encoura

Every night my boys ask for a story. Sometimes I read to them and sometimes I prefer to make up my own stories. Most of the time I want my stories to have some sort of moral significance. Last night as I walked into their bedroom, wading through the toys, clothing, and linens to their beds I had a lot of time to think of one. Here it is: Once upon a time there was a mom. She was a great mom. She was loving and kind a patient. She doted on her boys as if it were her only pleasure.  She cooked fabulous meals, cleaned the house from top to bottom, and her laundry looked as though it had come from the dry cleaner. She read stories, made beautiful crafts, and baked as if it were the year 1820.  The boys ever had to worry about cleaning up after themselves or remembering where they had put something or even making their own lunch from time to time. She did it all. She was truly the perfect  mother.  One day, both boys found themselves beautiful and sweet women to marry. They had grown to be