Hi. Brian Joseph Johns here again.
I did my best to get something up last week (the week of September 28 > October 3, 2026) but probably fell short of expectations of me, especially with regard to my usual track record. The honest response to that is that I finally burned out and have for the most part been spending time and effort recovering, and that usually means spending a few days doing as little as possible, and enjoying a bit of self indulgence. In my case though, that indulgence is more medicinal and does involve the legally obtained substance: CBD in a capsule or edible form. In Ontario, Canada, CBD and products that contain it are sold legally both for stress relief and rest and relaxation, not really much different from melatonin, but a fair bit stronger in terms of helping a person to achieve a good night’s sleep.
One of the biggest challenges with being a work-a-holic is that I often only sleep for at most three or four hours at a time, and running constantly and burning the candle at both ends eventually does catch up. Three times over the last six days and I’ve been able to acquire eight and nine hours of sleep a day, thanks mostly to the conscious effort to reduce my activity level, and careful consumption of CBD. As of today I felt significantly better in terms of restful sleep and expect that this week will probably be filled with productivity, especially seeing as I have cupboards full of coffee and tea, and am raring to go.
I have decided that I’m going to celebrate Thanksgiving Day twice this year. Once today. including a 5.8 kg turkey that will be shared between my cat an I and I expect will probably last me a week with leftovers (its in the over right now as I write this), bringing me right up to the actual day of Thanksgiving, when I’ll be probably be cooking another turkey and enjoying a meal with a week’s worth of leftovers. Plenty to be thankful for especially in a world whose path is difficult to ascertain for any consistent length of time.
I’m very fortunate to be the owner, author and artist of content here on Shhhh! Digital Media, when there is much strife and difficulty in other places in the world. I’d say that around this time of year, the best thing for us to do is to remember that, and enjoy life, especially for those who are living in difficult situations that aren’t making it easy for those people to maintain their safety, dignity and their life’s pursuits. I bet you that they’re wealthy in gratitude with regard to the things they have to be grateful for in life, because when those things are in danger, people tend to cherish them that much more compared to when they are not part of moments so fleeting.
This week should see the addition and return of much content from the original Shhhh! Digital Media, not to mention that the most recent dangling stories will certainly be wrapped up before the Thanksgiving weekend (October 12 in Canada where I live). I won’t say exactly what and when, but keep an eye on the site this week.
To everyone celebrating Thanksgiving this year, may you reconnect with that spark that began your lives, once upon a time and may it accompany you into every moment into the future and beyond.
One last thing. The Pink Ribbon campaign is running strong on Eurotruck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator, if you’re a player of either of those simulations, and a Steam user. If not, then check out the list of Cancer related charities below and show some support if you can.
Brian Joseph Johns
Shhhh! Digital Media
Support Charity
Please support education and information access where you can in addition to these charities:
Check out the Sick Kids Lottery! [New!]
Sick Kids Foundation (Canada)
Help research that provides cures and support treatment for sick children.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Canada)
Creating a world of possibility for kids and youth with disabilities.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (International) [New!]
The Cancer Research Institute (International) [Updated!]
The Terry Fox Foundation (Canada/International)
The Princess Margaret Foundation (Canada)
Cancer Research organizations that combine the expertise of many different research firms and Universities to find innovative treatments and cures for Cancer.
United Way Worldwide (International)
United Way brings communities together to face their greatest challenges, whether that’s helping families find stability, empowering young people or responding to crises.
United Nations Fund (International)
Unicef (International)
Two organizations whose contribution of expertise, human and financial resources and volunteer efforts provide humanitarian solutions to real world problems the entire world over. These charities operate worldwide. The United Nations Fund supports the various programs part of the United Nations’ global mandate, as much a foundation as it is a roof around the world, while Unicef has been helping children throughout the world through famine and medica crises, and are most benefited by other children of the world who raise money during holidays like Hallow’s Eve (Halloween).
David Suzuki Foundation (Canada/International – Dr. Suzuki has delivered many keynotes at United Nations Environmental Summit events throughout the years)
Through evidence-based research, education and policy analysis, we work to conserve and protect the natural environment, and help create a sustainable Canada. We regularly collaborate with non-profit and community organizations, all levels of government, businesses and individuals.
Humane World For Animals (Formerly Humane Society International) (International)
The Humane World for Animals protects the health, lives and rights of animals the world over, ensuring that they too have a voice in this world. We are interdependent upon the complex web of life this entire planet over for our mutual survival. This is a world wide charity.
World Duchenne Organization (International)
Muscular Dystrophy Canada (Canada)
The World Duchenne Organization and Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s mission is to enhance the lives of those affected by neuromuscular disorders by continually working to provide ongoing support and resources while relentlessly searching for a cure through well-funded research.
‘There is a compelling need to ensure that wherever they are in the world, everyone diagnosed with Duchenne (and Becker) Muscular Dystrophy can benefit from a standard of care that is informed by the best practice of the best clinicians from all over the world, and is based upon the latest research.
World Veterans Federation (International)
The World Veterans Federation is a humanitarian organisation, a charity and a peace activist movement. The WVF maintains its consultative status with the United Nations since 1951 and was conferred the title of “Peace Messenger” in 1987.
I’d like to point out that it was the incredible Gary Sinese Foundation (United States) that brought the issue of Veteran’s rights to my attention. I’ve always had little respect for those who’d forget the great contribution made by those who’ve risked life and limb to defend those values that so many of us espouse. Perhaps the true measure of one’s principles are by that for which they’d risk their life.
“None can speak more eloquently for peace than those who have fought in war.”
Ralph Bunche, Nobel Peace Prize 1950
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (United States/Global)
The Reeve Foundation provides programs for research, uniting Scientists and Specialists from many different fields to find treatments for spinal cord injury translating them into therapies and support programs.
The Heart And Stroke Foundation (Canada)
For over 60 years, Heart & Stroke has been dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our work has saved thousands of lives and improved the lives of millions of others.
The ALS Society Of BC (Canada, British Columbia)
ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is a progressive neuromuscular disease in which nerve cells die and leave voluntary muscles paralyzed. The ALS society provides a variety of programs to combat this disease and help those with it to survive.
The Global Foodbanking Network (International)
Ensuring that people the world over have enough food day to day in order to survive and lead healthy lives. In this challenging day and age services like this are becoming more and more essential. This is a world wide charity.
Margaret Atwood (Canadian writer)
Internationally renowned writer who continues to stifle us with her characters, plots and prose.
The Pierre Berton Heritage Centre (Canadian writer)
Visit a modest heritage museum for one of my inspirations as a Canadian writer. Children should read The Secret World of Og.
The Edgar Allan Poe Museum (United States writer)
Because Barris told me to put it here. If I didn’t, he said he’d walk. Geez. Stardom really gets to some people’s heads. Maybe I could kill him and bury his heart beneath the floor boards! Or I could encase him in behind a brick and mortar wall, for shaming my family name of Amantillado!
Wikipedia (Global)
The model for what may become the Encyclopedia Galactica, a complete reference and record of history, events and knowledge of humanity and its journey beyond. It is the encyclopedia of all that we know, what we surmise that we’ve known and will learn in the future. Yes, Wikipedia is a charitable organization of great importance. If you enjoy what I am doing here then please take the time to donate to Wikipedia. Surprisingly only 1% of Wikipedia’s users donate yet the site serves pages to millions every day.
Humble Bundle (United States/International)
A video gaming storefront benefiting a vast variety of different Charities in the United States and United Kingdom (hopefully soon to be expanded to include other areas of the world?). Their software bundles and video games allow you to choose which Charity your money benefits and how much of your money benefits that Charity. See? Gamers can do their part too and often do.
Multiple Sclerosis Society Of Canada (Canada)
Multiple Sclerosis is a degenerative disease currently affecting an estimated 2.3 million world wide. By donating you are contributing to effective research in finding a cure and tipping the scales of MS research to change lives forever.
If you’re a resident of Ontario then please consider supporting Building Better Schools.
Other Ways To Help Using Your Computer
Donate your idle computer time to science! Join the World Community Grid by clicking on one of the links below and follow the instructions for how to participate:
Thank you for your support
Shhhh! Digital Media
Brian Joseph Johns
