I’m back. So where are we now?

It must have been about twenty-five years ago. A friend’s father, who was a successful business man, decided to impart some advice. “Boys,” he said, “if at first you don’t succeed, get a computer and really mess things up.” Except he never really used the word “mess”.

My friend’s father has long since left this world, but his advice comes back to haunt. A few months ago my computer crashed. Three weeks and a new fan later, I was back, typing, working and posting.

Then six weeks ago, my computer crashed again.  This time the hard drive and motherboard needed replacing. In the repair process, my desktop went missing but was eventually located four weeks later only to need the programmes re-installed.

Only now have I caught up on stuff. Too many useless weeks, gone. The repairs, had they not been so incremental, would have necessitated a new machine that would have connected me to the world quicker. Ah well. It was still cheaper though less convenient.

Here are some random thoughts.

Another million dollar idea – Unplugged

Apparently, GlaxoSmithKline are withdrawing Ex-Lax from the market. Have they cured constipation? People still gotta go, even when they can’t.

I think they should re-work the product into Ex-Lax chocolate soft drinks. Rebrand it: Quik-Lax. A cold Caf-Ex-Lax. The variations are endless.

Reflections of a Life

I have not only been philosophical lately, but I have also been listening to my favourite live album. It is Jackson Browne’s Running On Empty.

Back in the 1970s, when live albums were ubiquitous, Jackson Browne released what had to be the best live album at the time. Not one track appeared on any of his previous albums. The various songs were recorded in auditoria, rehearsal spaces, hotel rooms and one was recorded on the tour bus.

The title track is a good piece of looking back on one’s life. It hits home.

From my last post

In Carry That Weight I suggested we need a new term describe individual, social, attitudinal anti-Semitism against governmental, political anti-Semitism. The word I came up with was Jewtipathy, a combination of Jewish and antipathy. Some friends of mine did not particularly take to the term, suggesting perhaps Judeophobia. However, I didn’t like that as there doesn’t seem to be a fear here.

So I am opening it up to readers. What is your suggestion for the term? Please write it in the comments.

Good-bye Stan Lee…

… and thanks for everything. In this case, Stan gave me a universe to live within during my junior high school days.  Whether Stan wants this credit, remains a matter of debate.

The Big Problem with Brexit

In my view, the problem the British government currently has with Brexit is that everything is under the microscope. There is a lot of posturing going on to ridicule one side or the other as well as within the British government. Nothing will be achieved this way, even as a potential deal is on the table.

The other problem I have is that those who are (again posturing) embarrassing the government’s efforts to reach a deal have no real alternative of their own. It’s easy to oppose without offering a different and realistic approach. This leaves the government with enemies beyond the negotiation table.   To paraphrase Daffy Duck, “Brother, what a way to run a country.”

Brexit has been and remains a poisoned chalice. Maybe it’s time to give the Brexiteers a chance to prove what they hoped to achieve – including the weekly benefit they promised to the National Health Service. It’s like a game of truth or dare, which is fitting since our politicians are acting like children anyway.

What I did on my posting vacation

I have been working on my novel. Well into Chapter 3, I am amused. I hope it is a sign of quality.

I have been scarred, I think…

Every night I look at the computer suspiciously before turning it off.

The next morning, I stare at the screen ever hopeful that the computer will boot up.

This is no way to lead a life…